White Collar & Investigations

Overview

Zuckerman Spaeder LLP boasts one of the country’s most highly regarded white collar criminal defense and investigations practices. For more than 35 years, our attorneys have represented individuals and companies in some of the most significant criminal prosecutions and investigations in the United States and abroad. We also have represented clients in some of the country’s most notable civil enforcement actions and congressional investigations. The American Lawyer called our firm “a haven for clients in trouble” when it named us a finalist for its most recent “Litigation Boutique of the Year” feature. With a significant portion of our team bringing experience as former prosecutors and public defenders, our attorneys are trial-ready litigators who have received numerous firm and individual recognitions for their work. We have more attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America for white collar criminal defense than any other firm in the country and we have been recognized nationally and locally for white collar-governmental investigations by U.S. News and World Report.

Our approach to white collar legal services is client-focused. We pride ourselves on mastering the facts of our clients’ cases, no matter how complex the subject matter. Our rigorous legal analysis leads to creative defenses, solutions, and strategies. And, for our clients who become defendants, we are vigilant and aggressive in asserting their rights and privileges before, during, and after trial.

Many of our clients face legal challenges on multiple fronts: criminal, regulatory, and civil. We approach the difficulties that arise from such parallel proceedings with well-planned strategies so each proceeding is conducted in a manner that considers its impact on the other. We also understand the impact these investigations have on our clients’ day-to-day commercial and professional activities. For businesses, the reputational and financial impacts can be significant; for individuals, the toll on their lives and families can be extraordinary. Our representation of clients takes these factors into account in seeking resolutions that achieve our clients’ goals and objectives.

We possess extensive subject-matter expertise in a host of heavily regulated areas, including securities, food and drug, health care, tax, government ethics, export control and sanctions regimes, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and antitrust, to name just a few examples. Our attorneys have experience representing clients in investigations conducted by many federal agencies, including U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of the Treasury, and U.S. Department of Commerce, among others. We also have significant experience in handling matters before key state agencies, particularly before New York state law enforcement agencies, the New York Attorney General’s Office, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

In addition to representing clients who face scrutiny from law enforcement, we also have experience conducting internal investigations on behalf of public and private companies. Conducting a comprehensive and methodical internal investigation can be critical in securing an advantageous resolution with prosecutors and regulators. Zuckerman Spaeder lawyers understand how to conduct such investigations in a diligent, yet cost-effective manner, and know how to communicate with law enforcement officials to secure favorable outcomes.

Select from the list of substantive practice areas above to learn more about our white collar and investigations experience.